So these are my resolution for 2010. I hope to stick to them. I have written them down on a card and paste it on my mirror. I see myself in the mirror everyday so I will see my resolution too. It will remind me to stay in track.

I wish you all a Happy New Year. May all your wishes come true in the coming year.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

This project was done many months ago. I almost forgot about it. So here is, a pattern from Simplicity pattern 3747 (dress B). It was not a difficult pattern. Since this was one of the first few patterns I tried, it was a little difficult with the instructions. After reading it twice, I understood what to do.

As you can see from my picture, it is very similar with the picture on the envelope. I used size 4. The size was just nice.I had this material (don't know what's the name though!) in my stash and thought it would work best for this project. And it did! Yay!

Overall, this pattern gets a rating of 4/5 for me. Easy to follow, no fuss and frustration. If you know what fabric to use, it will make a beautiful casual evening dress.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Today, my new sewing machine arrived. I am super happy! It's the Brother Innovis 200 computerized sewing machine. I am so impressed by the machine for it's clean stitches and the settings. Everything is just a touch of a button (how cool is that!). Now I can sew more shirts and clothes with buttonhole. I had a hard time with my old cheap Brother machine XL5070. Finally got rid of that! A new cool machine for my home studio!

Monday, December 14, 2009

I am looking for a good sewing machine that will last me for a long time. I have been doing so much research for the past 2 weeks. Unfortunately, there are limited models here in Singapore. I hate it when I am to choose from a limited pool of selection. Hate it!
Anyway here are some of the machines that I am quite interested in.

Hello everyone, I guess this post will be quite interesting for the sewing enthusiasts (Like me). I have finally finished sewing this top from McCall M5882. I like patterns which are not very complicated. This is one which is definitely not. It took me about 5hours to complete. This is not including the numerous breaks in between having chats with the hubby and cooking lunch. Here are the pictures. Read on for the cons of this pattern.

I chose to do Top B. Here are my pictures of my Top. Well, it's more of a dress for me since I am quite short! :)

Front view

Hem line

Back view

Invisible zipper ( not the best workmanship!)

As mentioned above, this pattern is great for those who do not want to have to fuss over the instructions and crack your head on where to start. The instructions were very clear and concise. The material used was cottion viole and poplin 100% cotton. This is the best material ever for hot humid country (like Singapore). It was also an easy material to work with.

Now for the part I was not pleased. The armhole was so tight. I am a size 4. I guess the next time I use this pattern, I will have to use size 6 instead. I guess the company drafting the pattern did not consider people who have chubby arms! :) The strap under the bust line was a little high, so if someone of a slightly bigger bust wearing this might have problems with the fitting and zipping.

So my dear lovelies, I hope you liked this post. Fashion designing and sewing is my passion and it is what I want to do as my second career. Army was the first career and it has made me what I am today. I am glad I was in the Army!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Today I went to enroll myself in a sewing class. After a long break, I am getting back into the dressmaking groove. This was the look I wore. I used the 88 neutral palette and my favourite lipstick Fast play (Mac).

Saturday, December 5, 2009

I just realized that I am one of the winners of a contest KandeeJohnson from YouTube hosted. She wanted us to do a Cleopatra costume inspired look. When I saw her video, I was so excited because Cleopatra is my favorite historical character. So I submitted the look not because of the prize but for that particular cleopatra look (this is how crazy I get when I hear Cleopatra!).

''FOR most creative and just all together AWESOME looks: (in no particular order)Umapreve... did an amazing job and made Cleopatra look wearable....her smile is gorgeous and makes you want to smile along with her...beautiful voice is soothing to listen to....fabulous job, and her make-up looks gorgeous!!!!!''

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Guess what I have finished my 10 year contract in the Army. I am so excited and happy to have received my civilian identification card back after 10 years. During the 10 years in service, I had to use the military issued identity card.

It feels very different knowing that you are free to do whatever you want. I can finally do part time make up artistry, spend more time drawing my fashion ideas, cooking for my husband and being the girly me.

Working in a male dominated environment is not as easy as one might think. I had to endure male chauvinism and proof that I was either equally good and even better than guys. It was a very competitive environment.

With all said, I did make very good friends. My best friend is also in the Army. I will miss all the fun time we had working together. Army life is tough yet interesting. One must experience it to understand what I am talking about.

Now I am a civilian, I have to get used to thinking like a civilian and dressing like one too.. No more army t-shirt and jeans for me. It's going to be more fashionable clothes since I am going into the fashion industry.

Hopefully, if all works well I will go to a fashion school next year 2010. My dream of being a fashion designer cum entrepreneur will come true. God has blessed me with a good life. I am a very happy person now!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

After so many years, I am finally getting into the nail polish hype. This is from Faceshop, it's made in Korea. Quality if not that fantastic but it's pretty good for beginners who do not want to spend $20 odd dollars on a nail polish.

It is a beautiful lilac colour. Very pretty and soft. I had to put two coats in order to have the colour show up.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Finally, I got the time to do a tutorial and edit it. Here is a look I wore for a friend's home party last Saturday. The occasion was Deepavali. Deepavali is also known as Diwali by the north indians. It is a festival of lights. I am not a hindu thus I may not be the right person to explain why this festival is celebrated by the hindus. I think there are many resources on the internet with regards to this festival. I love the food and company during this occasion.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

I am so excited about the Mac style black collection. Have been waiting and wanting to buy the mineralized eye shadows for a while. Most Mac collections are released in Singapore much later then other countries. The good thing is that you get to see swatches and reviews of the products from the US much earlier. To me this is good as I will be able to pick out what I would like and not like.

With all said, I did a tutorial using the mineralized eye shadow in Cinderfella. What an interesting name!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Cleopatra is one of my favorite historical characters. I do not know what she would have looked like in person, but I am sure she was gorgeous in her own way. This is my interpretation of how she would have looked. I was inspired to do this video by Kandeejohnson (YouTube). She did a look very similar to that Elizabeth Taylor wore in the movie (Cleopatra). Here are the pictures and the tutorial.